Since July of 2022 the Keystone State Challenge Academy, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has been helping troubled youths age 16 to 18 from across Pennsylvania to foster growth and comradery within a structured environment, allowing them to learn valuable skills and gain experience that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, either back out in the civilian world or continuing on to become members of the military.
Despite this critically important program, DMVA lacks the ability to adapt to the evolving circumstances of our changing society. DMVA who oversees the program lacks authorization to develop new rules or regulations pertaining to the program.
To that end, I will soon be introducing legislation to allow DMVA to promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to the operation, administration, and general direction of the Keystone State Challenge Academy. Which will provide DMVA the ability to develop rules and regulations, giving them flexibility in administering the program going forward.
Please join me in sponsoring this critical legislation so that we may bolster our Commonwealth’s youth career prospects while fostering a working relationship between our Guardsmen and our local communities.